Displaying items by tag: Incident ResponseThe National Coalition for Sexual Freedom is a national organization committed to creating a political, legal, and social environment in the United States that advances equal rights of consenting adults who practice forms of alternative sexual expression. NCSF is primarily focused on the rights of consenting adults in the SM-leather-fetish, swing, and polyamory communities, who often face discrimination because of their sexual expression.https://ncsfreedom.org
Tue, 31 Mar 2015 21:11:16 +0000en-gbWhen the Levee Breakshttps://ncsfreedom.org/key-programs/consent-counts/when-the-levee-breaks.html
https://ncsfreedom.org/key-programs/consent-counts/when-the-levee-breaks.html"When the Levee Breaks: A guide to dealing with and avoiding arrest and prosecution in BDSM scenes." "When the Levee Breaks" is a companion to the NCSF publication, "The Aftermath," and is a guide to provide a perspective for those who have, through mistake, misunderstanding, or a fleeting lapse of reason, committed an act of criminally actionable sexual assault. It is not intended to provide a defense for indefensible acts. "When the Levee Breaks" also provides information on how to better protect oneself against arrest and prosecution. Click to get a PDF of "When the Levee Breaks"

]]>UncategorizedWed, 23 Mar 2011 21:13:09 +0000Incident Response Programhttps://ncsfreedom.org/get-involved/act/item/569-incident-response-program.html
https://ncsfreedom.org/get-involved/act/item/569-incident-response-program.htmlWhen you need help and don't know where to turn, NCSF may be able to help. Our Incident Response program helps hundreds of people every year. We make a difference for individuals and organizations facing discrimination, legal crisis and other important life events related to their kink interests.

Incident Response

]]>Homepage Website TeasersSun, 13 Mar 2011 00:46:02 +0000Swing Partyhttps://ncsfreedom.org/get-involved/act/item/566-swing-party.html
https://ncsfreedom.org/get-involved/act/item/566-swing-party.htmlBack in June, 2008, we had set up a great private party for swingers. The plan was to have it at a local bar, the owner was going to close it for just our group. Lots of us had plans on eating dinner at the fine-dining restaurant above the bar, and many had rooms reserved in the hotel. The owner knew what type of group we were, and had no problems in having us. Shortly before the party, the local Borough Council President 'found out' about the party and contacted the local paper. Next thing we know, the paper comes out on Wednesday, we're on the front page. The party was set for Saturday night. Now, most Swingers want complete anonymity, and it was rumored that the media would be there "in disguise" mingling thru the party and possibly some waiting for us to arrive. So, we felt it necessary to cancel our party to protect our guests. The NCSF Incident Response team found out what had happened, contacted the local paper and helped them understand what we were trying to do, and how this affects us. My husband and I (as the party hosts) were unable to…

Incident Response

Rights

Swing

Advocate

]]>Incident Response TestimonialsTue, 08 Mar 2011 18:28:58 +0000Kinky Kollege and SINSations in Leatherhttps://ncsfreedom.org/get-involved/act/item/562-kinky-kollege-and-sinsations-in-leather.html
https://ncsfreedom.org/get-involved/act/item/562-kinky-kollege-and-sinsations-in-leather.htmlEvery year, Leather SINS produces two national BDSM events in Chicago: Kinky Kollege and SINSations in Leather. Ever since the Concerned Women for America attacked five Midwest BDSM conferences in 2002, Leather SINS has consulted with the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom to ensure that our events would not face the same problems if we were attacked by religious political extremists. Leather SINS has consulted with NCSF about a variety of issues while producing our events. We asked Susan Wright to accept the position as our media spokesperson, posting her phone number on our website so she can respond instantly to any media inquiries. Susan checks every page of our website for each event, looking for statements and phrases that may need clarification or may possibly cause problems if taken out of context by the media. Leather SINS has gratefully named NCSF as one of our "WE CARE!" charities (along with LA&M). We're proud to be a Coalition Partner of NCSF, and would urge any group to take advantage of NCSF's knowledgeable Incident Response program consultants when producing an event. In leather heart and soul, Master Z Leather SINS President & Event Director

BDSM

Incident Response

SINSations

Kink Kollege

Coalition

Media

]]>Incident Response TestimonialsTue, 08 Mar 2011 17:54:07 +0000Folsom Street Fairhttps://ncsfreedom.org/get-involved/act/item/559-folsom-street-fair.html
https://ncsfreedom.org/get-involved/act/item/559-folsom-street-fair.htmlFor over a year now, Folsom Street Events has been under attack by anti-gay and religious right groups from across the country. The attacks have been relentless. They have threatened our major sponsorships, picketed our events, called upon public officials to denounce us, and rallied their troops against our community. As a small organization with only two staff members, we do not have the capacity to stand up and respond to these continuing assaults. We contacted the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom to access the Incident Response program. Within hours, we spoke with a highly trained and knowledgeable media and PR consultant for support. In addition to her moral support, we received a meticulous training for our Board of Directors and staff, preparing us to better manage these attacks. Also, the program consultant was able to field all media inquiries - and serve as a positive voice for our community - during our events, so that we could focus on our production duties. We can't thank NCSF enough for their good work and for being there when we needed them. Demetri Moshoyannis Executive Director Folsom Street Events

Incident Response

antigay

religious rights group

]]>Incident Response TestimonialsTue, 08 Mar 2011 17:26:01 +0000Catalina Loveshttps://ncsfreedom.org/get-involved/act/item/558-catalina-loves.html
https://ncsfreedom.org/get-involved/act/item/558-catalina-loves.htmlMy relationship with the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF) began like many others do. I was neck deep in a conflict that was based in my free expression of my sexuality through my writing. I was asked to leave my teaching position, an agreement was reached and I left quietly without creating a scene. I used to teach in a small, private school in North Carolina, where my daughter also attended school. When I left my teaching position I was assured that it would not affect her last and final year of middle school. Months passed, and we were within days of her returning to the 8th grade when I received a call from the Head of School that he had decided to rescind his offer to allow her to go to school there. After heated debate, he agreed that she could attend school, but if and only if I could secure a $1,000.00 expense fee to cover her field trips and lunches in advance. It was a bullshit fee, to be honest. It’s not required of any other parent. He knew that we would not be able to come up with $1,000 in a matter of days. This…

Incident Response

KAP

custody

Community

Children

]]>Incident Response TestimonialsTue, 08 Mar 2011 17:04:33 +0000Incident Reporting & Response Mission Statementhttps://ncsfreedom.org/key-programs/incident-response/ir-program-mission-statement.html
https://ncsfreedom.org/key-programs/incident-response/ir-program-mission-statement.htmlThe NCSF Incident Reporting & Response Team's purpose is to provide assistance to individuals and groups within the alternative sexual expression communities who become victimized by actions of local authorities in opposition to the freedom of expression of SM, leather/fetish, or swing practices. The National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF)’s Incident Reporting & Response (IRR) Program uses three primary criteria for taking a case: The issue must openly, directly, and specifically relate to BDSM, swing or poly activities between consenting adults; in other words, the problems you face must relate to or be caused from your involvement in BDSM, swing or poly without question. The issue must be one whose outcome or precedent could affect not just the individual filing the complaint, but potentially a significant number of people with the same, or similar, problem. The incident needs to have a reasonable chance of a successful resolution; usually indicating that the individual filing has not also been found guilty of a crime other than behaviors currently considered illegal relating to BDSM, swing or poly.

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IR

]]>Incident Report ArticlesSun, 06 Mar 2011 22:40:07 +0000What Is Incident Reporting & Responsehttps://ncsfreedom.org/incident-response.html
https://ncsfreedom.org/incident-response.htmlNCSF's Incident Reporting & Response was created to provide assistance to individuals and groups within the alternative sexual expression communities. If you engage in SM, fetish, swing or polyamory practices, and are being persecuted or discriminated against because of it, please contact NCSF. If your group or business is being harassed by religious political extremists or if you need help doing outreach to your local law enforcement, please contact NCSF. GET HELP NOW! The National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF)’s Incident Reporting & Response (IRR) Program uses three primary criteria for taking a case: The issue must openly, directly, and specifically relate to BDSM, swing or poly activities between consenting adults; in other words, the problems you face must relate to or be caused from your involvement in BDSM, swing or poly without question. The issue must be one whose outcome or precedent could affect not just the individual filing the complaint, but potentially a significant number of people with the same, or similar, problem. The incident needs to have a reasonable chance of a successful resolution; usually indicating that the individual filing has not also been found guilty of a crime other than behaviors currently considered illegal relating to…

BDSM

Civil_Rights

Child_Custody

Incident Response

]]>Incident Report ArticlesSun, 06 Mar 2011 22:35:04 +0000IR Criteria https://ncsfreedom.org/get-involved/act/item/527-ir-criteria.html
https://ncsfreedom.org/get-involved/act/item/527-ir-criteria.htmlThe National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF)’s Incident Response (IR) Program uses three primary criteria for taking a case: The issue must openly, directly, and specifically relate to BDSM, swing or poly activities between consenting adults; in other words, the problems you face must relate to or be caused from your involvement in BDSM, swing or poly without question. The issue must be one whose outcome or precedent could affect not just the individual filing the complaint, but potentially a significant number of people with the same, or similar, problem. The incident needs to have a reasonable chance of a successful resolution: usually indicating that the individual filling has not also been found guilty of a crime other than behaviors currently considered illegal relating to BDSM, swing or poly. If you meet the above criteria file a INCIDENT RESPONSE (click hear). You may also file a report by calling (410)539-4824 If otherwise, you may make a general contact with the NCSF by clicking hear

Incident Response

Rights

Legal

Advocate

]]>UncategorizedWed, 18 Aug 2010 06:55:42 +0000Contact the NCSFhttps://ncsfreedom.org/get-involved/act/item/526-contact-the-ncsf.html
https://ncsfreedom.org/get-involved/act/item/526-contact-the-ncsf.htmlTo better allow the NCSF to work with you, please choose from the list below and you will be directed to the correct page. FILE AN INCIDENT RESPONSE (IR) MAKE A KINK AWARE PROFESSIONAL LISTING GENERAL CONTACT TO THE NCSF JOIN THE NCSF DONATE TO THE NCSF

Incident Response

Community

NCSF

]]>UncategorizedWed, 18 Aug 2010 06:42:07 +00002009 Incident Response Reporthttps://ncsfreedom.org/get-involved/act/item/496-2009-incident-response-report.html
https://ncsfreedom.org/get-involved/act/item/496-2009-incident-response-report.htmlIn 2009, the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF) again took the lead in defending the rights of individuals and groups in the SM-leather-fetish, swing and polyamory communities. NCSF's coalition of over 40 educational and social groups is committed to creating a political, legal, and social environment in the United States that advances equal rights of consenting adults who practice forms of alternative sexual expression. NCSF's Incident Response team is directed by Director Leigha Fleming. In total, over 482 individuals, groups, attorneys, prosecutors, and businesses contacted NCSF for help in 2009. Each incident sometimes required only one or two phone calls, but some evolved into much larger projects. NCSF received 482 distinct inquiries/requests for assistance. 337 required more than one contact/response to resolve, often requiring multiple contacts. It is difficult to categorize many incident requests as clearly falling into one camp or another. Many overlap in categories. For example, many of our custody/divorce related issues involve at least 2 of our core constituent groups (i.e. SM/leather/fetish and poly for example). In trying to do a statistical breakdown of the requests, we placed it in the category it most clearly matched. 11% were requests regarding SM/abuse/domestic violence issues 36% were regarding…

Incident Response

Rights

]]>Incident Response ReportsFri, 07 May 2010 09:42:36 +0000NCSF Can Help...https://ncsfreedom.org/get-involved/act/item/534-ncsf-can-help.html
https://ncsfreedom.org/get-involved/act/item/534-ncsf-can-help.htmlNCSF Publishes Important Information for Your Mental Health; NCSF and the Foundation are proud to announce two new and valuable publications: A Guide to Choosing a Kink-Aware Therapist, and the Therapists Guide to Polyamory. The BDSM Survey is up. Take a look! If you are seeking a Kink Aware Professional (KAP). Our KAP program allows professionals who are friendly to BDSM, swing, and poly individuals to list themselves as "kink friendly." It serves as a resource for people to self-refer for help from theraputic, legal and other professionals who will not prejudge based on the consensual adult activities of our constituents. We've recently added documents for "How to Choose a Kink Aware Therapist" in long and short form as well as a booklet geared for those in the theraputic community that focuses on poly issues. If you are seeking assistance or our Incident Response Program Criteria for acceptance include consideration of whether a significant issue relevant to NCSF's primary constituencies is at stake, what impact can be realized for our constituents as a whole if NCSF gets involved, and whether existing resources allow for a case to be handled effectively.

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KAP

]]>TabsWed, 01 Jul 2009 20:00:00 +0000Press Release - NCSF Marching Forwardhttps://ncsfreedom.org/get-involved/act/item/315-press-release-ncsf-marching-forward.html
https://ncsfreedom.org/get-involved/act/item/315-press-release-ncsf-marching-forward.htmlFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE National Coalition for Sexual Freedom Marching Forward: NCSF proactively advocates for sexual freedom November 19, 2008 - NCSF is proud to be the only group in the country with a national mission committed to changing the political, legal and social environment for those involved with the BDSM, swing and polyamory communities. The new board of NCSF was voted in at the annual Coalition Partner meeting held in Atlanta in September: Leigha Fleming is the new Chairwoman of NCSF, and new board members Laura Carlson (Secretary), Klawdya Rothschild, Tim Murray, and Ron Zimmerman have joined existing board members Vivienne Kramer (Treasurer), Jim Duvall, Jim Fleckenstein, and Howie Zusel. NCSF has directly helped tens of thousands of practitioners, businesses and groups since its founding in 1997. NCSF's newest project is the DSM Revision Project: Kinky is NOT a Diagnosis! The DSM Revision Petition is gathering signatures from individuals and organizations calling on the American Psychiatric Association (APA) to adhere to empirical research when revising the diagnoses in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Susan Wright is working directly with the DSM revision committee to ensure that healthy BDSM practitioners and cross-dressers are…

DSM

Incident Response

KAP

Media Outreach

EOP

]]>Press ReleasesWed, 19 Nov 2008 17:56:04 +00002006 Incident Response Reporthttps://ncsfreedom.org/get-involved/act/item/486-2006-incident-response-report.html
https://ncsfreedom.org/get-involved/act/item/486-2006-incident-response-report.html In 2006, the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF) again took the lead in defending the rights of individuals and groups in the SM-leather-fetish, swing and polyamory communities. NCSF's coalition of over 40 educational and social groups is committed to creating a political, legal, and social environment in the United States that advances equal rights of consenting adults who practice forms of alternative sexual expression. NCSF's Incident Response team is directed by Director Leigha Fleming. In total, over 500 individuals, groups, attorneys, prosecutors, and businesses contacted NCSF for help in 2006. Each incident sometimes required only one or two phone calls, but some evolved into much larger projects. NCSF received 521 distinct inquiries/requests for assistance. 289 required more than one contact/response to resolve, often requiring multiple contacts. It is difficult to categorize many incident requests as clearly falling into one camp or another. Many overlap in categories. For example, many of our custody/divorce related issues involve at least 2 of our core constituent groups (i.e. SM/leather/fetish and poly for example). In trying to do a statistical breakdown of the requests, we placed it in the category it most clearly matched. 13% were requests regarding SM/abuse/domestic violence issues 6% were regarding…

]]>Incident Response ReportsThu, 16 Aug 2007 06:25:42 +0000NCSF Profile: Leigha Fleminghttps://ncsfreedom.org/get-involved/act/item/483-ncsf-profile-leigha-fleming.html
https://ncsfreedom.org/get-involved/act/item/483-ncsf-profile-leigha-fleming.htmlLeigha Fleming, Interim Executive Director By Lou Briquant Whether you're a swinging couple, a quiet practitioner of SM, Gay/Les couple or single, or a member of a polyamorous relationship, there are people in this world who are looking out for your interests and your freedom to be who you are. Leigha Fleming is the Interim Executive Director of the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom, a volunteer post that is a lot of hard work with intangible but fulfilling rewards. Ms. Fleming got involved in the NCSF over the past few years. She tells us that she is currently doing any of several related jobs within the organization. "I most enjoy managing NCSF's Constituency Services, which include our Incident Response Program and our Legal Education Outreach Program. The most important qualities for any volunteer, regardless of position, is dependability. You have to do what you say you're going to do. You have to follow through and be accountable. We have to listen to what our constituents want and need from us, and we have to have confidence and to believe in our mission and vision." Fleming never planned to be an activist or advocate. She was very involved in the SM-leather-fetish…

Incident Response

Educational Outreach

NCSF

]]>InterviewsWed, 08 Aug 2007 11:53:51 +00002005 Incident Response Reporthttps://ncsfreedom.org/get-involved/act/item/482-2005-incident-response-report.html
https://ncsfreedom.org/get-involved/act/item/482-2005-incident-response-report.htmlNCSF Supports Your Rights In 2005, the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF) again took the lead in defending the rights of individuals and groups in the SM-leather-fetish, swing and polyamory communities. NCSF's coalition of over 40 educational and social groups is committed to creating a political, legal, and social environment in the United States that advances equal rights of consenting adults who practice forms of alternative sexual expression. NCSF's Incident Response team is directed by Director Leigha Fleming. In total, over 700 individuals, groups, attorneys, prosecutors, and businesses contacted NCSF for help in 2005. Each incident sometimes required only one or two phone calls, but some evolved into much larger projects. NCSF received 726 distinct inquiries/requests for assistance. 327 required more than one contact/response to resolve, often requiring multiple contacts. 31% were requests for referrals (criminal, divorce, custody, zoning, etc…) 18% were requests for NCSF support regarding group/club/business formations 15% were custody/divorce related 9% were media driven/press related issues 9% were employment discrimination 7% were regarding harassment/domestic violence assistance 7% were other/misc. 4% were criminal in nature Of the inquires NCSF received: 58% were driven by SM/leather/fetish issues 22% by poly 17% by swing 3% by other…

Incident Response

Poly

]]>Incident Response ReportsMon, 06 Aug 2007 05:30:19 +00002002 Incident Response Reporthttps://ncsfreedom.org/get-involved/act/item/369-2002-incident-response-report.html
https://ncsfreedom.org/get-involved/act/item/369-2002-incident-response-report.htmlOverview: NCSF Supports Your Rights! In 2002, National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF) once again took the lead in defending the rights of individuals and groups in the SM-leather-fetish, swing and polyamory communities. NCSF's coalition of 29 educational and social groups is committed to creating a political, legal, and social environment in the United States that advances equal rights of consenting adults who practice forms of alternative sexual expression. NCSF's Incident Response team is directed by Leigha Fleming, who instituted new methods for tabulating responses in 2002. In total, nearly 600 contacts were made between NCSF and individuals, groups, attorneys, prosecutors, and businesses who requested assistance. Each incident sometimes required only one or two phone calls, but many evolved into much larger projects such as the series of attacks by religious political extremists against SM conferences in the midwest. In 41% of the incidents, NCSF assisted individuals. The largest category of incidents involved parents who were engaged in child custody and divorce cases. Parents continue to experience difficulties gaining child custody due to their interest in SM, swing or poly activities. NCSF worked with a number of attorneys representing parents accused of being unfit because of their alternative lifestyle interests.…

Child_Custody

Grass Roots

Incident Response

Parents

SM

Swing

Poly

Concerned Women

]]>Incident Response ReportsMon, 06 Aug 2007 05:20:34 +0000Overview of NCSF's Incident Reporting & Response Processhttps://ncsfreedom.org/key-programs/incident-response/overview-of-the-ir-process.html
https://ncsfreedom.org/key-programs/incident-response/overview-of-the-ir-process.htmlThese procedures are intended to guide NCSF staff member(s) who are assigned to individuals and/or a local community to assist after an incident. Incidents in relation to this program are defined as "negative encounters with law enforcement and/or other authorities". Since incidents can vary from a raid on a party with one or more arrests, to attacks on local groups or clubs, these procedures are meant only as a guide. After an initial assessment, NCSF may offer assistance to the persons directly involved and/or the SM-Leather-Fetish or swing groups involved, or impacted by, the incident. Both the persons and the groups involved may, or may not, elect to receive some or all of the assistance offered by the NCSF. Regardless, it is up to the local community to decide whether to rally around individual(s) who have been arrested, and to determine if it is the community's responsibility to help prevent the establishment of bad case law that will affect SM or swing practitioners in the future. The community needs to keep in mind that while they are supporting those who are arrested, they must also educate officials in order to prevent the same crisis from happening in the future. It…